As we move into Week 5 of the college football season, the shift from Summer to Fall brings a transition from non-conference games to conference matchups. But don’t worry—thanks to conference realignments, we’ll still see many high-profile clashes, especially in the Big Ten and SEC. There’s also been a lot of movement in the rankings, and our Week 4 Heisman poll features a new leader for the fourth straight week.
Week 4 Heisman Poll
We will continue to track whose stock is rising and whose stock is falling in our Week 4 Heisman poll. The love continues for the quarterbacks in our poll this week. We have a new signal caller at the top of our list. Our Week 3 Honorable Mention also found his way into the Top 5.
Heisman Honorable Mention: Kalel Mullings, RB, Michigan
How does a team pass for only 32 yards and knock off a Top 15 opponent? Well, you need a dynamic running game. No, this didn’t happen at the Army or Naval Academies. Instead, it took place in Ann Arbor between Michigan and USC. The Trojans kept the Wolverines at bay and had Michigan on their heels. The fact that it was Michigan is a little surprising; this is the same team that ran the ball 32 straight times in a win last year against Penn State. The hero of the day Saturday was Kalel Mullings. The former linebacker-turned-running back busted a 63-yard run on third down to set the Wolverines up deep in Trojan’s territory. Mullings completed the comeback when he scored the game-winning touchdown on 4th and goal inside the Wolverine’s one-yard line.
#4 Ashton Jeanty, RB, Bosie State (⬇️ 1)
With a tie at number four, Ashton Jeanty is a mainstay in our Heisman polls. He is the only ranked running back and only Group of Five representative in our polls. He put in a good day’s work on Saturday against Portland State. Jeantry averaged more than 11 yards a carry but, unfortunately, did not find the endzone for the first time this season. The junior is second in the country, averaging 10.46 yards per rush and touchdowns (9) this season.
#4 Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee (NR)
Nico Iamaleavea led the Volunteers to arguably the biggest win of the weekend. Tennessee went on the road for a Saturday Night Showdown with Oklahoma and defeated the Sooners 25-15. Iamaleava was 13/21 for 194 yards and threw a touchdown. The only negative was his two lost fumbles in the game. His best play of the game came at the end when he handed his coach, Josh Heupel, the game ball. He provided some insights on his decision after the game. “I knew this was coach Heup coming back to his original home,” Iamaleava said. “He went to college here. He coached here. I knew it meant a lot to him. He didn’t show it as much during the week. We knew what it meant to him and what it meant to us.” Heupel was a former Oklahoma quarterback and won the Heisman Trophy in 2000.
#3 Travis Hunter, ATH, Colorado (NR)
We made the pitch last week. The podcasts and talk radio picked up on the narrative this week. Travis Hunter might be the best player in college football right now. Sure, we have had other players play multiple positions, but rarely have we seen them play both positions at such a high level. Hunter is easily a Top-10 player on both sides of the ball. He seldom comes off the field for the Buffaloes and had another Saturday banner night.
He led Colorado with seven catches for 130 on offense, and on defense, he had three tackles and made the play of the game to secure a win at home against Baylor. The Bears had 1st and Goal on the two-yard line and were looking to tie up the game. Hunter had none of it and met Baylor running back Dominic Richards in the backfield. Hunter used his body to separate Richards from the ball. The fumble resulted in a touchback and secured the Colorado win.
#2 Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fl.) (⬇️ 1)
Like last week, it’s not always about your performance but what someone else is doing. Cam Ward had another strong performance in Miami’s big win on the road at USF. After a close first half, Ward and Hurricanes stepped on the gas, putting plenty of distance between them and the Bulls—Ward for over 400 yards and three touchdowns in the win. The transfer has fit right in with the Hurricanes and has them eyeing the program’s first ACC Championship.
His head coach, Mario Cristobal, gave Ward praise after the game. “He chose Miami when he could have gone elsewhere because of his belief in the people, the system, and the part around him. It’s been awesome to watch him work,” Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal said to reporters on the arrival of Ward. “He’s focused on what he has to focus on. It’s a blessing to have Cam Ward.”
#1 Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss (
1)
Jaxson Dart continues to rewrite the record books as Ole Miss uses video game-like numbers. The Rebels have the nation’s #1 total offense, scoring offense, and passing offense. Dart has set his records; he has the most passing yards through four games among all SEC QBs in the last year. He has benefited now under Year 3 of Lane Kiffin. Dart shared this week what he has taken away from his coach. “I just think he’s an offensive mastermind. You know, just the things that he can put together. How smart he is schematically. You can ask anybody around the college football landscape. And they would all say that Coach Kiffin is one of the if not the smartest, offensive minds in college football.” Ole Miss opens SEC play at home this week against Kentucky.
